“Azam has gone from being an anti-corruption enforcer to a lawbreaker, and the prime minister must stop defending him,” it said in a statement today.

“His only option now is to take leave until investigations against him are complete,” it added.

A full probe should not only be conducted against Azam, but also against his predecessors, the statement added.

“The main issue is the management and governance of the MACC, so all chief commissioners who came before him also need to be investigated.”

Azam’s attempts to “drag” the Yang di-Pertuan Agong into the matter by claiming that his service could only be terminated by the King were also highly irresponsible, the council said.

“He should know that his appointment by the King does not grant him legal immunity (from any offences he commits).”

The statement was signed by presidential council members Saifuddin Nasution Ismail of PKR, Hatta Ramli (Amanah), Loke Siew Fook (DAP) and Nelson Anggang (Upko).

There have been repeated calls from several quarters for Azam to resign in light of the recent revelation of his ownership of up to RM2.9 million worth of shares in Gets Global Bhd which he acquired in 2016.

However, at a press conference last week, Azam denied any wrongdoing and said his brother had used his central depository system account to acquire the shares, and that the shares had since been transferred to his brother’s account.

The Securities Commission is investigating the case.